Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaNovember 28, 2018

Carlos Muñiz, former chief of staff to Attorney General Pam Bondi, is on the list of 11 finalists for three openings on the Florida Supreme Court. The Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC), which met privately to go over the 59 applicants, released its list Tuesday afternoon. Muñiz, now the general counsel to the U.S. Department of […]

Drew WilsonNovember 27, 2018

Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis will be getting his economic policy advice from former House Speaker Will Weatherford and GrayRobinson lobbyist Chris Spencer as he makes the transition to the Governor’s mansion. “Your support for the incoming administration and your assistance on these important policy issues will help shape the future of Florida,” transition team head James […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 27, 2018

Among the crop of early bills filed ahead of the 2019 Legislative Session is a push to prevent Floridians from talking and texting while operating a vehicle. State Sen. Wilton Simpson, a Trilby Republican, earlier this month filed legislation (SB 76) that would ban the use of handheld communications while driving. In the House, Boca […]

Ryan NicolNovember 27, 2018

Florida House Deputy Democratic Leader Shevrin Jones has filed a new bill (HB 49) which seeks to provide hygiene products to women inmates, as well as protect those women from abuse while incarcerated. Jones spoke with Florida Politics about the bill, saying he was first inspired to tackle the issue after fellow state Rep. David Richardson‘s tour […]

Jim RosicaNovember 27, 2018

Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis and incoming First Lady Casey DeSantis on Tuesday announced the leadership for their 2019 Inaugural Committee. Heading the list is top Florida and Washington, D.C. lobbyist Brian Ballard and his wife Kathryn Ballard of Tallahassee, who are chairs. Co-chairs are longtime Republican Party fundraisers Stanley and Gay Hart Gaines of Palm Beach, and lobbyist […]

Ryan NicolNovember 27, 2018

New state Sen. Manny Diaz may just be readying for his first Legislative Session, but he’s already nabbed a committee chairmanship after being named to head the Senate’s Education Committee. Diaz spoke to Florida Politics about his plans for the state’s education system, including a continued push for charter school support, and an expansion of […]

Staff ReportsNovember 27, 2018

House Rules Chair Chris Sprowls released guidance in advance of the 2019 Legislative Session on the “schedule for submission, filing and publication” of bills. The Tuesday memo reveals deadlines to the House Bill Drafting Office and for this year’s budget requests.

Drew WilsonNovember 27, 2018

The Beer Industry of Florida announced Monday that it’s bringing on Justin Hollis to replace exiting President Eric Criss, effective Dec. 1. “We are looking forward to the energy, enthusiasm and expertise that Justin Hollis will bring to us in Tallahassee and around the state,” said Doug Cone, who chairs the beer distributor trade group […]

Staff ReportsNovember 27, 2018

Senate President Bill Galvano said if incoming Gov. Ron DeSantis can flex his connection to President Donald Trump to land Florida a Medicaid block grant, the state could expand health insurance for the working poor. As reported by Alexandra Glorioso of POLITICO Florida, Galvano isn’t aiming for a repeat of 2015, when the state Senate […]

Staff ReportsNovember 27, 2018

Ashley Moody, the state’s Republican Attorney General-elect, named Sen. Wilton Simpson, Rep. Chris Sprowls and lobbyist Michael Corcoran to serve as co-chairs of her Inaugural Committee, she announced Tuesday. “The Inaugural Committee will be responsible for planning and executing the events surrounding the inauguration ceremony on Jan. 8,” she said in a press release. Simpson, a Trilby […]

Influence
Milton damage. Image via City of Tampa.

Carlos Muñiz makes short list for Florida Supreme Court

Will Weatherford, Chris Spencer to advise Ron DeSantis on economic policy

Fight to stop behind-the-wheel cellphone use will look different in 2019

Shevrin Jones talks ‘human issue’ of supplying hygiene products to women inmates

Ron DeSantis names star-studded Inaugural Committee

Manny Diaz preaches need for school choice

House issues bill drafting guidance

Personnel note: Justin Hollis tapped as new Beer Industry of Florida president

Bill Galvano says Florida could insure working poor with Medicaid block grant

Big names tapped to head Ashley Moody’s inaugural committee